Sunday, December 25, 2011

USA Cycling has announced that four student cyclist will benefit from the USA Cycling Development Foundation with the annual John Stenner and Joshua Kuck Memorial Scholarships.

The winners of the John Stenner Memorial Scholarships are Brent Gillespie (University of New Mexico, Albuquerque) and Jill Behlen (University of Wyoming), and the winners of the Joshua Kuck Memorial Scholarships are Jack Tomassetti (Florida State University) and Andrea Napoli (University of Nevada, Reno).

Thursday, December 22, 2011

On January 7, 2012, promptly at 9:00 AM PST, we’ll be opening the gates on the seventh running of the Boggs 8-hour MTB Relay, our longest-running event. The race itself is on May 5, 2012 at Boggs Mountain State Forest, just far enough off the beaten track to feel like a vacation. Our later 2012 date will hopefully put us all far from the weather concerns that forced us to adjust the course last year.

Registration for this race is expected to be Black Friday-esque, but in a Cyber Monday way. In other words, you won’t want to wait to sign up, but you can do so naked, at home, in front of your computer at www.bikemonkey.net/boggs. We won’t/don’t need to know. We’re planning on hosting 700 of you good people and we’ve sold this event out 100% of the time. Do not delay.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

>100 spectacularly scenic miles. 10,000 vertical feet, give or take few. Road, broken road and dirt road. Point to point format. Four fully stocked feed zones on the route will feature delicious snacks on the go and refreshing beverages as well. Your bag with your warm dry clothes will be waiting for you at the finish. Post ride buffet with all you care to eat. Local craft beer too, as much as you like. After you’re full of food and happy, we’ll take everyone and their bikes home via chartered coaches.

Monday, December 05, 2011

The US Cup announced its 2012 calendar including the Rock N Road Cup West race series, the California state mountain bike championships, a 50-mile race series and a mountain bike gran fondo. In contrast to previous news, the US Cup will be hosting one, not two rounds of the US Pro Cross Country Tour (US Pro XCT) ...

For next year, the US Cup will also offer an "amateur" version of the Triple Crown series in which Cat. 1 19-49 riders can compete against one another in short track, super D, time trial and short track events each weekend. The rounds of the Rock N Road Cup which will be designated as Triple Crowns are Vail Lake, Bonelli and Santa Ynez.

... Finally, the addition of the inaugural Catalina Island MTB Grand Fondo on May 12 will mark the first time the US Cup will be organizing a mass ride event. This will be the first time in the island's history it has hosted a mountain bike ride, and it will grant riders special one-time access to sections of the TCT (Trans Catalina trail) for the event.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

SportsBase Online, popular event registration, closes up shop ... I don't believe this affects any of our local MTB races:

One of the western United States’ leading event registration companies, SportsBase Online, closed up shop over the weekend — leaving numerous promoters empty handed long after their events concluded.

On Monday, SportsBase Online (SBO) issued a short statement apologizing to event promoters, but informing them that payment for the thousands of registrations the company has processed over the past few months would not happen.

“We regret to inform you that due to financial reasons Sports Marketing Concepts, Inc. DBA SportsBaseOnline will be dissolving as of October 15, 2011 and is ceasing operations,” the statement said. “We have explored every option to avoid this outcome to no avail. There are no funds available and no tangible or other assets owned by the corporation that could be monetized to make restitution or pay claims.

SBO sent another email Wednesday afternoon saying that at least some payments would be made soon.

The Northern California Nevada Cycling Association and Utah Cycling Association were each hit especially hard. Bill Nicely, NCNCA president, said in a statement to NorCalCyclingNews.com the SBO situation will put the hurt on local promoters. Nicely’s statement was released prior to the Wednesday email from SBO.

“This affected all races from Giro (de San Francisco on Sept. 5) forward on SBO. About 65k in reg fees as a loss in total. The BOD is deeply saddened by this loss and we are grateful to USAC for their participation in lessening the burden to our affected promoters.”

Monday, October 03, 2011

The UCI (Cycling Worldwide Race Governing Board) has decided to eliminate Mountain Cross / 4X and introduce two new events: Cross Country Eliminator and Gravity Endurance:

Next year the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup calendar will undergo a facelift: the disappearance of four-cross and the official introduction of the cross-country eliminator (XCE) aim to keep the mountain bike discipline abreast of current trends.

He confirmed that the withdrawal of four-cross related only to the World Cup. The format will remain for the 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Leogang, and registrations for four-cross races are still being accepted for the UCI international calendar. Peter Van den Abeele adds that the UCI is open to working with any organiser looking to host a UCI registered four-cross event during a World Cup weekend.

So why will we no longer see four-cross at the World Cup?

“Four-cross has proved more successful in some regions than others. This fact, coupled with the high financial costs and the environmental issues associated with the building of four-cross courses has led the UCI to make this decision. Four-cross competitions remain viable in a few World Cup venues but the lack of interest in others does not warrant continuing with this format in the World Cup series.”

Cross-country eliminator

Meanwhile the increasing popularity of the cross-country eliminator format has led the UCI to officially integrate it into the 2012 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.

Introduced in Europe two years ago, this format, suited to Olympic cross-country (XCO) specialists, sees four competitors race each other over a lap of around 1km. World Cup test events held in Dalby Forest (GBR) and Nove Mesto na Morave (CZE) last season were very successful, and in 2012 the format will be part of the World Cup events in Houffalize (BEL) Nove Mesto na Morave and La Bresse (FRA).

2012 will also see the crowning of the first XCE World Champion: this new format is being introduced to the UCI World Championships, and will be raced the day after the XCO event.

Development of gravity endurance events

Another flourishing mountain bike format is that of gravity endurance, which UCI Gravity Endurance Coordinator Chris Ball is looking to develop within the UCI by working with existing “enduro” events and riders.

His aim is to develop a discipline that will attract an increasing number of mountain bikers as it combines the physical endurance of cross-country riding with the technical difficulty and excitement of downhill racing.

The UCI invites organisers of current gravity enduro events to contact the UCI with a view to establishing a UCI Enduro Calendar from 2013. Enduro events can be in the form of multi-stage races, day races or mass start races.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

On the cross country side of racing, the UCI confirmed that the 2012 World Cup will return to Windham, New York. The venue has twice previously hosted the World Cup. In its first year in 2010, it was a triple, featuring four cross, downhill and cross country. In 2011, it hosted downhill and cross country, but not four cross. 2012 will feature the same two events. The area was recently devastated by rains and flooding from Hurricane Irene and efforts are underway to rebuild.

USA Cycling announced today the 2012 edition of the USA Cycling Pro Mountain Bike Cross Country Tour (Pro XCT). In its fourth year, the Pro XCT will feature six events at which world-class athletes will race for UCI ranking points and prize purses.

Mountain bike season will unofficially kick off in the U.S. at Lance Armstrong’s ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas as the Pro XCT makes its first stop with UCI C1 event, The Mellow Johnny’s Classic on March 3. Top-level mountain biking will continue in March with a pair of US Cup Triple Crown races.

After a successful first appearance on the Pro XCT in 2011, the US Cup Triple Crown – Bonelli Park has been upgraded to a UCI C1 level event and will again be an important stop on the tour on March 10.

It will be followed up by UCI C1 and fourth-year Pro XCT event, the US Cup Triple Crown – Fontana on March 24.

After a two-month hiatus, the tour will stop in Southern Colorado. Making its Pro XCT debut will be the brand new UCI C2 Ute Valley Pro XCT in Colorado Springs on June 16.

The penultimate event on the Pro XCT will be the ever-popular Subaru Cup, part of the well-established Wisconsin Off-Road Series (WORS), on July 14 in Mt. Morris, Wis. This fan favorite will again operate at the UCI C1 level.

For the second year in a row, the Missoula Montana XC will close out the season-long calendar as a UCI C2-level event near downtown Missoula on August 4.

For more information about the Pro XCT, please visit its webpage: http://www.usacycling.org/proxct.

Dual Slalom - Saturday Afternoon 12pm Dual Slalom Qualifiers and Head to Head races. This year's DS is the same fierce course as last year keeping riders fighting for the win all the way down the hill. You can see more pictures of the new slalom course here!

Observed Trials - Saturday Evening 6pm Observed Trials Demo-Brand new to the Parkfield Classic, we will be having an unofficial observed trials competition and demonstration this year. Come show off your precision riding skills on this awesome course. Several sections will be offered, each with a beginner and advanced line. Judging will be done by your fellow riders. Rules on bike setup will be relaxed, so mods and stocks will compete together.

Short Track - Sunday Morning8am Short Track Cross Country-this year's course will be the same as last year's combining blazingly fast singletrack with some interesting technical sections, brute strength and skill rolled in to one race.

Downhill - Sunday Morning/AfternoonDownhill Practice: Crack-o-Dawn to 10:30am11 am Downhill - Sweet Glorious Single Track. What else can you say.Single Run format. Bypass options are given for most obstacles. Expert course different than Sport course. Riders are encouraged to wear protective gear as necessary. All riders must ride within safe limits! We'll be wrapped up with DH by 3, so that folks with a long drive ahead stay safe.

Friday, September 09, 2011

The race that is bringing cyclocross to Stafford Lake Park in Novato, California for the first time is opening registration today, Friday September 9th, at 6pm. Registration will be open for all classes from C's (beginner) to Elite (Pro).

The event's title sponsor is Marin Bikes and other major sponsors include WTB, New Belgium, Bike Monkey, Sheila Moon, Ritchey Components and Cedar Cycling and Kuat Racks.“We are super stoked to have such strong partner relationships in place for the inaugural event – all of whom who have seen the great value in partnering with the Stafford Lake Cyclocross race,” said Murphy Mack, the Bay Area race promoter putting on the event. “Coming to this new venue is good for racing and it's good to be able to help fund the development of the Stafford Lake Bike Park. Combined with the generous support of our sponsors and a who's - who list of great Northern California racers we are confident that this event will go big in this it's first running” added Mack. Registration is online at www.staffordlakecx.com.

The Stafford Lake Cyclocross Race will be held November 6th, 2011 in Novato, CA and features "a flat to rolling 2.5 mile course that will offer five, maybe six features. Lots of good passing areas and great spectator visibility. Two run ups, a set of boards, a sand pit for your running pleasure and a special feature or two that will be revealed on race day. BONUS: the course goes right through the beer garden every lap!"

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Mountain bike racing once again returns to the famous Flume Trail above Lake Tahoe on Saturday, September 10, 2011. The Great Tahoe Flume Race is presented by the Reno Wheelmen and sanctioned by USA Cycling. It is part of the Sierra Cup Regional Championship Series, a seven race point series to determine the best riders in Northern California and Nevada.

The race starts next to Spooner Lake in Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park at 9:30am. The course will take riders over 23 miles of some of the most beautiful trails in the country including the world renowned Marlette Flume Trail. The course has over 3300’ of climbing and the entire course is above 7000’ elevation. There are age and ability categories for all levels of riders. All categories will complete the same course.

All proceeds from the event go to supporting the all volunteer backcountry patrol in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park. Celebrating its tenth year of service, the patrol provides directions, mechanical help, and medical assistance to all park users. It is an International Mountain Bicycling Association affiliated National Mountain Bike Patrol, and one of the largest chapters in the country.

Online Registration is now open at http://www.BikeReg.com. The cost is $35 or $20 for Women and Junior categories. Registration includes course support, a post race BBQ, and a huge product raffle from our sponsors. The race is limited to the first 200 to sign up. For more information, visit http://www.renowheelmen.org or e-mail mtb11@renowheelmen.org.

Friday, August 05, 2011

Team Bigfoot has announced two racing events at Kirkwood this month. The first event will feature several races:

SUPER-D: Friday, August 19, 3:00pm. This relatively new form of racing is defined as a predominantly downhill mountain bike race with a finish at a lower elevation from the start, but with a climb or two on the way. Kirkwood is especially suited for Super-D; it has the perfect terrain and trails and also has ski-lifts to hoist the riders and their bikes to the top of the course. This year’s event will be on a new 6-mile course—nearly double the distance of last year! In this event each rides starts individually for a timed run against the clock.

CROSS COUNTRY: Saturday, August 20, 9:00am (Beginner and Intermediate), 1:00pm (Expert and Pro). This is the type of mountain bike racing featured in the Olympics. At Kirkwood it will be mass starts on a 6 mile course that has all the elements that racers love; plenty of single-track, fire-road climbs, some short steep sections, some technical tests of skill and of course—fantastic and beautiful views along the way. Beginner riders will do one lap, intermediates do two and the expert and pro riders are scheduled for three laps.

HUFFY TOSS: Saturday, August 20, after the Cross-Country. This silly diversion will end the day on Saturday right after the Cross-Country awards. Using the UHTI (Union Huffy Toss Inernationale) rules a case of microbrew will be awarded to tosser who earns the most points for flinging a Huffy bicycle. Points are awarded for distance, for making the bike cartwheel or barrel roll and for thenumber of parts jettisoned on a single toss. Winner takes home theremaining bicycle debris plus a case of brew. The full UHTI rules can be found at http://teambigfoot.net/UHTIRules2011.htm.

SIX HOURS OF KIRKWOOD SUPER-D: Sunday, August 21, 10:00am to 4:00pm. Last year this was Team Bigfoot’s most popular Kirkwood event. The format for this unique event is simple: How many runs of the 6-mile long Super-D course can a rider do between 10:00am and 4:00pm? There’s a new longer course this year that begins at the top of Kirkwood’s chair 6. It drops nearly 2000 feet by way of the Sentinels Trail, the Dangberg Trail and the new Roby Wolfe Trail. The event offers categories for all ages and abilities. It is sponsored by the Tahoe bicycle shop “Wattabike,” who is putting up a pair of $250 gift certificates to be awarded to the man and the woman who completes the most runs.

The second event will center on the endurance races:

MTBR KIRKWOOD NINE TO FIVE / MTBR 24 HOURS OF KIRKWOOD: Saturday and Sunday August 27 and 28. are for the endurance racers, with the Kirkwood Nine to Five, an eight hour race taking place from 9:00am to 5:00pm on Saturday, and the 24 Hours of Kirkwood, which goes from 9:00am Saturday to 9:00am Sunday. The format is simple, solo riders or relay teams race for eight or twenty-four hours on a 6-mile course. There are several categories based on age and ability. The Pro purse for the men AND the women will be a guaranteed $250 (or 100% pay-back of entry fees, whichever is greater.) WINNER-TAKE-ALL.

Monday, July 11, 2011

It looks like I've been completely asleep at the wheel in covering our way NorCal friends up in Humboldt. It's this weekend (7/23/11), but well worth the trek:

With temperatures throughout California reaching into the 90s and beyond, many mountain bike endurance racers are looking forward to visiting Arcata for the Adventure’s Edge 12 Hours of Humboldt, July 23, as a means of getting in some great racing while also escaping the sweltering heat-wave. The average July daily temperature in this corner of the north coast is in the high 60s! Factor in a course that is almost entirely under the shade of giant redwood trees and it’s no wonder that most of the riders in this popular event come from out of the area.

The 12 hour long event runs from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. While a number of the riders will go it solo, there will also be relay teams of 2, 3 or 4 riders competing in several different categories based on age and rider ability. And new this year is the 6 Hours of Humboldt; a kinder, gentler option for riders who want the satisfaction of a solo experience, but aren’t up for a full 12 hours. The 6 hour event will go from 8:00am to 2:00pm.

The course weaves through the Arcata Community Forest using a variety of trails. The 7.4-mile course is a fun mix of fire road and flowing single-track, boasting 1112’ of elevation gain per lap. Mountain bike endurance hero Tinker Juarez has called the course “One of the best I’ve ridden.”

The main venue is in Arcata’s Redwood Park. The pit area will be on the upper lawn where riders and teams will be able to put up tents, awnings, etc. Riders with children will be pleased to know that there’s a playground adjacent to the start/finish/transition.

Team Bigfoot, an Arcata-based event promotions company, is organizing this event and has pledged a portion of each rider entry fee to the new Ridge Trail, a large addition to the Arcata Community Forest, and to the Humboldt County Search and Rescue Team. For information on the race visit Adventure’s Edge in Arcata or Eureka, or go to the website at www.teambigfoot.net, or call (707) 845-3095.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

We really must watch what we wish for! It seems that Mother Nature has set some rules this winter even man can not control. We now have the most water and snow in the High Sierra that we have had since 1951 (60 years). Winter has really tried my forbearance this year, I had high hopes that the weather would have changed earlier and the snow would be melting faster but this is not the case. I checked the trails at Royal Gorge this weekend and with the snow amounts that are still there we have no choice but to move the Coolest 8 & 2 4hr race Against Cancer (501c) race date to August 27-28th.

Some of the areas at Royal Gorge still have 12 ft snow drifts and an average of 5ft on the trails. I have lived, worked and raced in the Tahoe Sierras for most of my life and feel at this point the snow will not have melted by July 16-17th. Even if the snow melted, we would have the problem standing water and mud, a lot of mosquitoes and the risk of doing damage to the trail. Since the Coolest 8 & 24hr race is really about raising funds and awareness for the fight against cancer, along with having a great time with family and friends, we feel it is best change the date.

We hope that giving you over a months notice is enough time to make any changes to arrangements you may have made. I know for some that this date change may not work and GBE, Inc is very sorry, but we honestly don’t have any other options.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Sorry that I'm a bit late on this but I'll post it up on the schedule today:

This is our summer bike program to engage the community in the outdoors, fitness, and healthy foods on Tuesdays. Turn off the TV and put away the cell phone and video games and bring the family, camping chairs, cow bells, and have a great time with us at Twilight !

The Twilight series is a model from Carlos Perez, a bike enthusiast/promoter, founder of bikemonkey.net, and inspiration to the summer bike races at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa.

We welcome beginners, intermediate, and expert riders. Medals will be awarded to 1-3 places of each category by age groups of under 18 y.o., 19-29 y.o., up to 50+ . Time results to be posted online. There’s a little tikes course for up to 6 y.o. and it’s free. Goodie bag for little tikes too.

We have two new venues in Nevada County! We will be hosting a Twilight Series with eight races – four in Grass Valley at Condon Park and four on the Dascombe Trail System near the 5 Mile House in Nevada City.

Part 1 Condon Park:

June 21 / June 28 / July 5 / July 12

Located in Grass Valley, trails are at Condon Park and Lyman-Gilmore School property, nestled under pine and oak trees. Each race date will be a different course. This is a perfect venue for beginners just testing their skills. Each race builds upon each other, a little more challenging and fun.

Part 2 Dascombe Trail System:

July 19 / July 26 / August 2 / August 9

Trails are on F.S. lands just a 10 minute drive from downtown Nevada City, just off HWY 20 and Conservation Road. Each race date will be a different course. Each race builds upon each other with more elevation gain, switchbacks, etc.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

The 2011 CCCX DH SERIES Will Be Back In Action Starting In September & Running Through December At Toro Park. Official Dates Coming Soon.... Good Times & Fast Riding Will Be In Effect When The Dirt Is Best for Racing On The Edge In The Fall/Winter Months At Toro Park. New Sections Are Being Worked On To Spice Up The Existing Trail Network.

The Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort and Giant Bicycles have come together with the Ride Giant / Ride Northstar mountain bike sponsorship program to host the movie premiere of 3 Minute Gaps on Saturday, June 18. The event will kick off the summer season with the opening of the Northstar Resort bike park, the largest lift-served bike park in Northern California.

Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort’s kick off to summer celebration with the 3 Minute Gaps movie premiere will include extending the mountain bike park hours of operation until 6:00 p.m. on June 18th. The summer celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the Lodge at Big Springs deck at mid-mountain featuring a BBQ, music by local talent and an opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for prizes.

The movie premiere will offer free admission and include a free gondola ride up to the mid-mountain Lodge at Big Springs for those who are not riding the park that day. For US$10 per person, the BBQ will feature a burger with a side, and a choice of a beer or other beverage. Proceeds from the BBQ and raffle prizes will benefit the Ride Giant / Ride Northstar mountain bike programs.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Man o man, what a roller coaster. First, we fight tooth and nail to bring racing back to Annadel State Park after a 25 year hiatus. Then we get word from Sacramento that this same park is on the budgetary butcher block and will be part of a whole bank of select state-wide park closures starting in September. Then we get word from NOAA's Buzzkill Department that a freak storm is going to hit us, bringing over 2 inches of rain to a weekend that's so reliably dry, the local salmon wear sunscreen.

Since dropping hundreds of cyclists onto wet trails we fought so hard to access for this race probably isn't the best idea, we're rescheduling the race to June 25th. We weren't going to wait to be told what to do here; we know what's right and we're going with that. For those of you who welcome this news bringing you into the event, great. For those of you who don't, we're sincerely sorry. We're still in the cancellation window for hotel accommodations; give 'em a call and get straight with your return on June 25th while you're at it. If you need a refund, shoot us a note at orders@bikemonkey.net. We're running around juggling logistics, so give us some time on the response.

Figure that, while we're at it, we'll push out the start time from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Other than that, all the details still stand, especially the part about this race raising funds to keep this jewel of Northern California mountain biking open and accessible to everyone.

So the race is now June 25th. Will update the schedule tonight. Thanks to Curt for the heads up.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Sierra Cup Regional Championship Mountain Biking Series for 2011 begins this weekend in Gardnerville, NV. The Sierra Cup is a seven race point series to determine the USA Cycling cross-country mountain bike champions for the Northern California/Nevada region.Top finishers at the first three events will also qualify to compete at the Mountain Bike National Championships in Sun Valley, Idaho on July 14-17.

These events take riders through some of best trails in the West and challenge them with heart pounding climbs and fun, technical descents. There are age and ability categories for all levels of riders. Race distances vary with each event and are often based on the ability categories. Each individual event awards medals to the top finishers as well as series points. Besides the regional champion medals for the series winners, there is also a $1500 series purse for top riders.

The Sierra Cup is unique in that all of the participating races donate their proceeds to various non-profit organizations that give back to the trails where mountain bikers ride. These organizations include the Poedunks, Tahoe Area Mountain Biking Association, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park Backcountry Patrol, Skyline Wilderness Park, and the Truckee Trails Foundation.

Monday, May 02, 2011

justin english (our local mtb homie) will be heading a weekly course pre ride on Wednesday may 4th to share the taste of some technical, steep, twisty turn, hilly, course that will "turn on" your mtb desire. 6:10 pm roll out from ray's bike shop (400 main st, vacaville 95688).

if ya wanna get a sense of the course, plan your strategy and get some lung burning fun under your belt...come join us in vacaville....

also only two weeks away until our may 7th cross country event, the rockhopper classic, registration is just burning to get your nameon it....we got raffle, we got lunch and we got game!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

There is a small list of really awesome events that we try to avoid conflicting with. The two that come to mind happen to be the two that I try and race every year–The Napa Valley Dirt Classic and the Shasta Lemurian. Pure awesomeness. Oh yeah, that pretty rad Grasshopper Adventure Series is also going on 4/30 for those of you roadies sticking in town.

SO… The Lake Sonoma Series #2 is being moved 1 week EARLIER to April 23rd to avoid being in conflict with the Shasta Lemurian which we previously thought was on the 23rd but is actually on the 30th. Switcheroo!

Lake Sonoma is now next Saturday. Make a note of it, and be stoked your racing calendar is so full of options!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Mountain Bikers Of Santa Cruz (MBOSC) is proud to present the Santa Cruz Mountain Bike Festival (SCMBF) taking place April 9th and 10th, 2011 in Aptos Village, California. The event will be held at the Barry Swenson Builders property which includes the Epicenter Cycling Pump Track and the Post Office Dirt Jump park. A temporary 1/2 mile Santa Cruz style short track course will be built on the property which features berms, rollers and jumps.

The SCMBF is Santa Cruz County’s premier mountain biking event, bringing together a mix of competitive racing, fun rides, skills clinics and a deep list of industry manufacturers and retailers with booths and demo products. To benefit mountain biking in Santa Cruz, all proceeds from the 2011 event will be dedicated to a permanent bike park in Aptos.

For two jam-packed days, the SCMBF will be home to exciting events for riders at every level. Whether attendees want to participate, spectate, improve their skills or check out the latest gear, there’s something for everyone. For professional and amateur competitive mountain bikers there are jump contests and short track races, endurance XC rides, and Soquel Demo Forest shuttle rides. Beginners can hone their dirt skills with clinics focusing on bike handling and pump track skills.

Over 40 vendors are on hand to share their latest innovations and equipment. The beer garden will pour tasty drafts from local beer makers including Santa Cruz Ale Works, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Seabright Brewery, Boulder Creek Brewery, Uncommon Brewers and Corralitos Brewing Co. For kids there will be handmade root beer on tap.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Online Registration for the FIRST race this Sunday closes on Friday, March 25 at 10pm

The season opener is HERE. Sunday March 27 will kick off the Prairie City Race Series season on the new Prison/Rodeo course. There will be several bike shops and vendors at the new season opener "Expo". Be sure to stop by and say "Hello and Thank You!" for sponsoring the Series. This first race is on the Folsom Prison course, staging out of the Folsom Rodeo arena - this is a points race. This is a very unique and limited use venue with lots of brand new singletrack. Check out the BikeCam video and race photos from the Sierra Nevada High School race on the Prison course last weekend... awesome! Online registration for this first race closes Friday March 25 at 10 pm (limited to first 500 racers)

Monday, March 07, 2011

USA Cycling revealed the complete calendar for its 2011 American Mountain Bike Challenge (AMBC) on Friday.

AMBC cross country events will serve as qualifiers for the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross Country National Championships, on July 14-17 in Sun Valley, Idaho while AMBC gravity events will qualify riders to compete at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike Gravity National Championships, September 24-25 in Beech Mountain, North Carolina.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

This rounds out the USA Cycling 2011 Pro schedule (and the Northstar event is back !):

PRO GRT

In its third year, the Pro GRT boasts five races and will continue to provide a consistent stage of international-caliber events for the nation’s elite gravity racers.

The downhill-only series will visit five states between April and June. For the third year in a row, the series will open with the Cup in Port Angeles, Wash., April 9-10. The month of May will see the series move to the east coast for a pair of races – the Highland Bike Park event in Northfield, NH, May 14-15, and the Plattekill Gravity Open at the Plattekill Bike Park in Roxbury, NY, May 21-22. In June, the Pro GRT will make its penultimate stop in California for the Northstar-at-Tahoe event in Truckee, June 18-19. The fifth and final event on the tour will be the Wildflower Rush in Crested Butte, Colo., June 25-26.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

In its debut year, the Pro UET will feature four events that offer various disciplines of racing for endurance athletes, including 6-hour, 24-hour, marathon, and ultra-marathon contests.

The ultra-endurance series will open with the Spa City Extreme 6-Hour in Hot Springs, Ark on March 12. It will then take a break for three months before a pair of events heat up the month July – the Firecracker 50 in Breckenridge, Colo. on July 4 and the Galena Grinder –in Boise, Idaho on July 23. The Pro UET will conclude on August 21 with the Hampshire 100 in Greenfield, NH.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Having lost the Colorado Spring event, the US Cycling XC tour is down to six events (three in California !):

After the Colorado Springs round of the US Pro XCT was cancelled earlier this week, the US Pro Cross Country Tour (US Pro XCT) will officially comprise six events according to USA Cycling. Prior to the withdrawal of the Sand Creek International Classic from the American national cross country series, there would have been seven total events in the series.

USA Cycling has still not released its US Pro GRT [calendar], the gravity version of its national series ... It has, however, just released its Pro Ultra-Endurance Tour, which includes four events: one six-hour race, two 50-milers and a 100km.

8am-9am Coffee, bananas, bagels and socializing/taunting then roll out at 9am sharp. End at Gestalt in Fairfax with beer, snacks, food and prizes. Take the flat road way home (1 hr 30min - 2hr ?min depending on your level of interest) or the ferry from Larkspur ($8.25, maps and schedules provided @ the finish line).

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Fort Ord MTB race has been postponed. We do not have a makeup date yet. Low registrations were the primary cause. We do get lots of emails asking why or what happened. It is critical that if you are interested that you actually register. We cannot run these events with less than 75 people

Monday, February 14, 2011

The 2011 Rockhopper course includes challenges for all abilities at 9.5 miles with 1600’ of elevation gain per lap. This course will test your fitness and bike handling ability, with some lung burning steep climbs, awesome and fast-downhill; experience tasty singletrack or fireroad climbs for passing and twisty/turn rolling terrain. Great observation areas for spectators to observe the progress of their favorite racer and an available screen for live results (yep, timing chip). You can see 60% of the course from the start/finish line or venture out on the course for a view from the top. If you have a burning desire to have unique mtb experience; come enjoy a day of physical play and enjoyment, under the Vacaville sun!

The race will be held May 7th, 2011 at Lagoon Valley Park (Pena Adobe Regional Park). The park is located in Vacaville, CA just off I-80, making it about halfway between SF and Sacramento.

Our little race is starting to get recongnized as a must do California Race. In order to maintain the level of quality the event is know for, we have decided to limit the field size to 300. Register early and secure your place in one of the best mountain bike events you will race this year.